Introduction

The Bunny “Orchard Picnic” brings cozy countryside vibes: an olive leaf-lace cardigan, a cream/brick gingham skirt, a straw-tone hat, classic low sneakers, and a seed-stitch basket carrying a tiny tart and apples. Follow the counts and placement map for a 1:1 result with the image.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Materials Needed

• Yarn (DK / Light #3)
  1. Bunny: almond/natural 100 g
  2. Eyes: safety eyes 8 mm (or embroider)
  3. Face embroidery: light brown scraps
  4. Cardigan: olive 45–55 g
  5. Skirt: cream 30–35 g + brick red 25–30 g
  6. Hat & basket: oatmeal/straw 35–45 g
  7. Socks: cream 10–15 g
  8. Sneakers: brown 25–30 g + cream 10 g for sole/stripe
  9. Props: red/green (apples), butter yellow + cream (tart), leaf green scraps
• Needles
  1. US 2 (2.75 mm) DPNs/circular for toy
  2. US 3 (3.25 mm) for garments & accessories
• Notions: Fiberfill, tapestry needle, stitch markers, 3 small wood buttons, a little plastic canvas/cardboard (basket base, hat brim optional), elastic thread for skirt waistband (optional), sewing thread/needle.

Abbreviations (US Knitting)

• CO – cast on
• BO – bind off
• k / p – knit / purl
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• RS / WS – right side / wrong side
• yo – yarn over
• kfb – knit front & back (increase)
• m1L / m1R – make 1 left / make 1 right (increase)
• k2tog – knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
• ssk – slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• tbl – through back loop
• pm / sm – place marker / slip marker
• p2tog – purl 2 together
• inc / dec – increase / decrease
• I-cord – small cord knit on few stitches

Gauge & Finished Size

• Toy (US 2): ~28–30 sts × 40–42 rows = 4 in / 10 cm stockinette in the round, firm.
• Garments (US 3): ~24–26 sts × 36–38 rows = 4 in / 10 cm stockinette.
• Finished height: ~30–31 cm (without ears).

Pattern Notes

• Work toy parts in the round unless stated.
• Stuff gradually and firmly; head/feet need the most firmness.
• Use mattress stitch for invisible seams.
• Embroider eyes for under-3s.
• Keep long tails inside pieces to anchor parts.

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The Bunny

Head (start at crown; US 2; almond)

1. CO 8, join, pm.
2. kfb around (16).
3. (k1, kfb) ×8 (24).
4. (k2, kfb) ×8 (32).
5. (k3, kfb) ×8 (40).
6. (k4, kfb) ×8 (48).
   7–16) k around (48).
7. (k7, kfb) ×6 (54).
   18–19) k around (54).
8. Eye mapping: k to left-eye point, pm; k 14, pm for right eye; k to end.
9. k around; insert 8 mm eyes between Rnds 20–21 at markers.
10. (k7, k2tog) ×6 (48).
11. k around; begin stuffing.
12. (k6, k2tog) ×6 (42).
13. k around.
14. (k5, k2tog) ×6 (36).
15. (k4, k2tog) ×6 (30).
16. (k3, k2tog) ×6 (24).
17. (k2, k2tog) ×6 (18).
18. (k1, k2tog) ×6 (12).
19. k2tog ×6 (6). Cut long tail; draw through; close.
    Face embroidery: With light brown, stitch a small triangle nose centered across Rnds 22–23 (~3 sts wide) and a short mouth line 1–2 rnds.

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Ears (make 2; US 2; almond)

1. CO 12, join.
   2–4) k around (12).
2. (k2, kfb) ×4 (16).
   6–10) k around (16).
3. (k3, kfb) ×4 (20).
   12–16) k around (20).
4. (k3, ssk) ×4 (16).
   18–22) k around (16).
5. (k2, ssk) ×4 (12).
   24–26) k around (12).
6. (k1, ssk) ×4 (8).
7. k around (8).
8. ssk ×4 (4). Pull tail through to point. Flatten gently.
   Attach between Head Rnds 8–10, bases ~9 sts apart; tilt outward 10–12°.

Body (US 2; almond)

1. CO 12, join.
2. (k1, kfb) ×6 (18).
3. (k2, kfb) ×6 (24).
4. (k3, kfb) ×6 (30).
5. (k4, kfb) ×6 (36).
   6–10) k around (36).
6. (k5, kfb) ×6 (42).
   12–18) k around (42).
7. (k5, k2tog) ×6 (36).
   20–22) k around (36).
8. (k4, k2tog) ×6 (30).
   24–25) k around (30).
9. (k3, k2tog) ×6 (24) ← arm level
10. (k2, k2tog) ×6 (18).
11. (k1, k2tog) ×6 (12).
12. k2tog ×6 (6). BO with tail. Stuff very firm.
    Join head ↔ body with ladder stitch.

Arms (make 2; US 2; almond)

1. CO 8, join.
2. (k1, kfb) ×4 (12).
   3–5) k around (12).
3. (k2, kfb) ×4 (16).
   7–10) k around (16).
4. (k2, k2tog) ×4 (12).
   12–18) k around (12). Stuff lightly to mid-forearm only.
5. (k1, k2tog) ×4 (8).
6. k around; pull tail through to close.
   Sew to body at Body Rnd 26, 19–20 sts apart.

Legs & Feet (make 2; US 2; almond to ankle)

1. CO 10, join.
2. (k1, kfb) ×5 (15).
3. (k2, kfb) ×5 (20).
   4–10) k around (20).
4. (k3, k2tog) ×4 (16).
   12–14) k around (16).
5. k2tog ×8 (8). Draw through. Stuff firmly; sew parallel beneath body.

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Clothing & Accessories

Cream Sock Cuffs (US 3; cream)

Pick up 20 sts around each ankle; k1, p1 rib × 4 rnds; BO loosely.

Low Sneakers (US 3; brown + cream stripe)

Soles (flat garter, 2 per shoe)

1. CO 6. Row 1: kfb, k4, kfb (8).
2. Row 2: k.
3. Row 3: kfb, k6, kfb (10).
4. Row 4: k.
5. Row 5: kfb, k8, kfb (12). BO. Whipstitch two soles WS together.
   Sidewall & Upper (in the round)
6. With cream, pick up 36 sts around sole; k 1 rnd for a pale edge.
7. Switch to brown; k 1 rnd.
8. Toe shaping: k7, ssk, k14, k2tog, k7 (34).
9. k around.
10. k6, ssk, k14, k2tog, k6 (32).
11. k around.
12. Collar: with cream, k 1 rnd; optional stripe: add one rnd of brown below collar. BO elastically.
    Slip on; tack at heel if needed.

Leaf-Lace Cardigan (US 3; olive)

Stitch Pattern (multiple of 8 + 2 for edges)

• Row 1 (RS): k2, yo, k1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1, yo; rep; end k2.
• Row 2 (WS): p across.
• Row 3 (RS): k2, k1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1; rep; end k2.
• Row 4 (WS): p across.
  (Repeats form small vertical leaves.)

Back (flat)

1. CO 42; work k1, p1 rib 4 rows.
2. Work Leaf-Lace for 34 rows straight.
3. Armholes: BO 2 sts at beg next 2 rows (38). Then ssk/k2tog one st each armhole edge every RS row ×2 (34).
4. Work even to row 56 from hem.
5. Shoulders: BO 6, work 22, BO 6. Place 22 center sts on holder for neck.

Fronts (make 2, mirror)

1. CO 24; rib 4 rows.
2. Begin Leaf-Lace, keeping k2 edge at center front for button band.
3. Neck shaping: when piece measures 28 rows, dec at neck edge every RS row ×6 (ssk on right front / k2tog on left).
4. Armhole shaping to match back.
5. At row 56, BO shoulders 6 sts; leave 3 sts live at inner edge for a tiny i-cord button loop later, or pick up loops during band.

Join shoulders with mattress stitch.

Neck & Button Bands

• Neckband: Pick up around neck (including back 22 held) ≈ 78–82 sts; work k1, p1 rib 4 rows; BO stretch.
• Button band (right front): Pick up sts along right front edge; work rib 4 rows; BO.
• Buttonhole band (left front): Pick up same; Row 2 (RS) place 3 buttonholes: yo, k2tog spaced evenly; finish to Row 4; BO.
  Sew on 3 wooden buttons.

Sleeves (picked up in the round)

1. PU ≈ 44–48 sts around each armhole; k 2 rnds.
2. Work Leaf-Lace 12 rnds (convert WS purl rows to knit within round by purling those rounds).
3. Cuff: k1, p1 rib 4 rnds; BO.
   The cardigan should sit cropped at natural waist.

Gingham A-Line Skirt (US 3; cream + brick)

To mimic woven gingham we’ll use slipped-stitch colorwork—no stranded floats.
Pattern key:

• Rnds are worked in the round.
• Rnds A (cream-dominant): k2 with cream, slip 2 purlwise with yarn in back (sl2wyib) with brick; rep around.
• Rnds B (brick-dominant): k2 with brick, sl2wyib with cream; rep around.
  (Alternate A/B every round to make 2×2 squares.)

Skirt

1. With cream, CO 96 sts; join, pm.
2. Waist rib: k1, p1 × 4 rnds.
3. Set gingham: Work Rnds A/B for 6 rnds even.
4. First flare inc (cream-dominant rnd): (k6, m1) around → 112 sts. Continue alternating A/B.
5. Second flare after 6 more rnds: (k7, m1) around → 128 sts.
6. Third flare after 6 more rnds: (k8, m1) around → 144 sts.
7. Work gingham straight until skirt reaches knee length on the doll (~16–17 cm from waistband).
8. Hem: 1 rnd purl (fold line), 1 rnd knit in cream, BO loosely. Fold hem to WS and whipstitch for a crisp edge.
   Optional: Thread thin elastic through waistband.

Straw-Tone Sun Hat (US 3; oatmeal)

1. MR style on DPNs or CO 8 and join; kfb around (16).
2. (k1, kfb) ×8 (24).
3. (k2, kfb) ×8 (32).
4. (k3, kfb) ×8 (40).
5. (k4, kfb) ×8 (48).
   6–7) k around for crown depth.
6. Brim inc: (k5, kfb) ×8 (56).
7. (k6, kfb) ×8 (64).
8. One rnd k tbl to define brim crease.
9. k 2–3 rnds; BO.
   For a firm brim, slip a thin plastic ring or fishing line in the tbl crease before the last rnd, then encase with stitches.

Picnic Basket with Tart & Apples (US 3)

Basket (oatmeal; seed-stitch “wicker”)

• Base: CO 10; knit 6 rows garter; PU sts around rectangle to form an oval of ≈ 36 sts; join.
• Walls: Work seed stitch (k1, p1; shift by 1 next rnd) for 8–10 rnds.
• Rim: I-cord bind-off around (CO 3 on right needle, k2, k2tog tbl, slip 3 sts back).
• Flap: PU 12 sts along one long side; stockinette 8 rows; BO; add a tiny button loop.
• Strap: I-cord CO 3; knit to 14–16 cm; attach sides.

Mini Apples (red/green)

• CO 6; kfb around (12); (k1, kfb) ×6 (18); k 2 rnds; (k1, k2tog) ×6 (12); k 1 rnd; k2tog ×6 (6); stuff; draw closed.
• With brown, embroider a small stem and attach a leaf (I-cord CO 2, 4 rows; or ch-style loop).

Tiny Tart

• Base (butter yellow): CO 12; stockinette 6 rows; BO to a small circle (gather edges with tail).
• Cream (white): CO 18; k 3 rows garter; gather into a spiral rosette and stitch to base.
• Place in basket.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

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Placement Map (for Accuracy)

• Eyes: between Rnds 20–21, 14 sts apart.
• Nose/Mouth: nose centered over Rnds 22–23; mouth 1–2 rnds.
• Ears: between Rnds 8–10, bases ~9 sts apart, outward tilt.
• Arms: attach on Body Rnd 26, spacing 19–20 sts.
• Skirt: waistband at natural waist; hem just below knee.
• Cardigan: cropped; three buttons evenly spaced.
• Sneakers: cream collar visible; thin side stripe aligned.
• Basket: held in right hand or resting at side; strap optional over arm.

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Assembly & Finishing

1. Head ↔ body: Ladder stitch neatly; align vertical centerline.
2. Ears: Sew at mapped crown points; curve tips slightly forward.
3. Arms: Attach at Body Rnd 26; keep palms relaxed.
4. Dress order: Socks → sneakers → gingham skirt → cardigan (button) → hat → basket with tart and apples.
5. Tidy tails: Bury all ends; add tiny tacks (invisible stitches) to keep basket/hat in place for display.

Blocking & Styling

• Light steam (no iron contact) to sharpen skirt hem fold and relax cardigan bands.
• Shape brim evenly around; if you inserted a ring, coax a gentle downward curve.
• Smooth ear curves with steam and hand-shape.
• Add a tiny white highlight stitch to each eye for sparkle.

Quality Control Checklist (match the image)

• Head round and smooth; eyes low and 14 sts apart.
• Ears ~11–12 cm, outward splay visible.
• Cardigan shows clear leaf-lace columns; three buttons aligned.
• Skirt displays 2×2 gingham blocks consistently; hem folded and clean.
• Sneakers low with cream collar and slim stripe; socks peeking 2–3 rnds.
• Straw hat brim even, slightly downturned.
• Basket textured in seed stitch, flap present, filled with 1 tart + 2–3 apples.
• Overall palette: olive, cream, brick, oatmeal, brown—soft pastel natural light.

Care & Safety

• For small children, embroider eyes and secure small accessories firmly.
• Spot clean only; reshape while damp.
• Keep plastic reinforcement (if used) away from heat.